Principal's Daily

There’s absolutely nothing I can add to this piece because my Mom was just like Fred Jones’ Mom! Firm, Fair, Consistent, and I will also add very loving: In this article entitled “The Importance of Consistency” classroom management guru Fred Jones recalls that his mother, a former elementary school teacher, meant business with her children. Jones remembers that as a kid, he could wheedle with the best of them. “My mom referred to any such arguing or wheedling as ‘yammering,’” he says. “Early in life, I learned two ironclad rules from my mom: Rule #1: No means no. Rule #2: I am not going to stand here and listen to your yammering.” Years later, Jones was a psychologist working with parents who were at their wits’ end over their children’s “brat” behavior – the kids would whine and fuss and tantrum until they got their way. “But, Dr. Jones,” these parents would say, “I think we are being pretty consistent.” or “I think we are consistent most of the time.” What these parents didn’t understand, says Jones, is that “You are either consistent, or you are inconsistent. There is nothing in between.” If his own mother had been pretty consistent, say four out of five times, her children would have learned some important lessons: When the going gets tough, the tough get yammering. If at first you don’t succeed, yammer, yammer again. Never give up! Today might be your lucky day. “The irony of consistency,” says Jones, “is that the closer you come to being consistent before you fail, the worse off you are. If the parent cracks easily, the child does not need to be a world-class yammerer in order to succeed. But, if the parent does not crack easily, the child must learn to play hardball.” How does this apply to classrooms? Teachers must set clear, reasonable expectations, says Jones, and then be absolutely consistent in enforcing them. Here’s a classic dilemma: Students are working silently on a project and the teacher is helping Robert, who is having difficulty. “You have been working with Robert for a couple of minutes,” he says, “and you are nearing closure. Given another twenty seconds, Robert will be able to progress on his own. At this moment out of the corner of your eye you catch two students on the far side of the room talking instead of working. It is not a big disruption. It isn’t even bothering other students nearby.” What should the teacher do? TO BE CONTINUED FRIDAY

Cris will place a survey for the staff Christmas party in your mailbox. God bless and enjoy today.